Extension-table



(No Model.) l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. VC. W. MUNZ. EXTENSION TABLE.

No. 548,447. Patented Oct. 22, 1895.

UNTTEDV STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES W. MUNZ, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

EXTENSIONnTABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 548,447, dated October 22, 1895.

Application filed September 1, 1894-. Serial No. 521,891- (No model.) i

To @ZZ whom, it may concern' Be it known that I, CHARLES W. MUNZ, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Extension-Tables, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to the construction of extension-tables in which the leaves for extending the tables are stored in a compartment beneath the top; andthe invention consists in the peculiar construction of the top of the table to form the receptacle, whereby the top and the extensible portions are provided with complementary sides for the receptacle, and whereby the leaves may be of substantially the same length as the top and yet be stored within the same.

The invention further consists in the construction of the support for the leaves in the receptacle when closed and when extended, and, further, in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts, all as more fully hereinafter described and shown.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective View of my improved table, showing the extensions at both ends drawn out and part of the top broken away. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof. Fig.3 is a longitudinal section through the table, showing the leaves stored in the receptacle. Fig. 4 is a similar section showing the leaves extended. Fig. 5 is a cross'section on line a; m, Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one corner of the table, showing one of the extensions partly drawn ont. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of aportion of the meeting edges of two adjoining leaves, showing the construction of the interlocking members.

I have shown my table provided with a main or stationary section and two movable or extension sections, one at each end of the stationary section. While I deem this desirable it is evident that but one extension may be used for tables of shorter length.

A represents the top of the stationary section. On its edge it is provided withthe depending side piece A of thin material, such as sheet metal, which I deem most desirable. This is secured to the top preferably by engaging a laterally-extending flange a. in a saw lrerf or groove in the edge of the top, as plainly shown in Fig. 5, the lower edge of the side piece being provided with a similar flange b, engaging a similar kerf or groove in the lon` gitudinal bar B, which forms the side bar of the frame of the stationary section of the table. These side bars are connected together by the cross-bars C, to which the central or stationary legs C are secured, and on the top of the cross-bars are secured the stationary slides D. This forms a table with an openended receptacle below the top, in which the leaves may be stored.

The side pieces are arranged a short distance from the edge of the top and side bars B, to leave the guide-grooves c between the side pieces and the top and side bars, in which the thin side pieces dof the extensions engage and are guided. These side pieces are preferably of sheet metal. These side pieces are connected at their outer ends to the ends of the cross-bars E of the extension-sections, which are of such a width as to fit beneath the table-top in the closed position of the table, so that any shrinkage of the table-top will not make an opening at the edge, as would be the case if the cross-bar simply contacted the edge of the top.

An additional advantage in forming the cross-bar with its upper edge on a plane below the fixed top is that in adjusting the end leaves, hereinafter referred to, or placing the cross-bar below the fixed top a rigid support is formed therefor entirely across the same, thereby preventing sagging of the top or leaf. Again, the cross-bar forms a rm rest for the outer leaf when the latter is in its raised position.

The cross-bars E are connected to the sta tionary section by the slides G, and these slides are preferably connected together near heir outer ends on the under side by the crossbars H, to which the legs H of the extensionsections are secured. Thus it will be seen that when the extension-sections are drawn out from the stationary section the side pieces d will form complementary extensions of the side pieces A of the stationary section.

IOO

I have shown the yleaves. I stored in two superimposed tiers, one set connected to each of the end extensions. It is evident without illustration that in a shorter table the leaves could be stored on the same plane, their' inner ends approaching or abutting `iu the closed position of the extensions.

The leaves I are provided ou their under I side with strips I', which serve to prevent them from warping, and also have the halved extensions e at the edges of the leaves, which serve the function of the usual dowel connection between the leaves.

J are links pivotcd atv their lower ends to theslidesG and at their upper ends to the strips I. The lower series of leaves may all be supported by such links, but such of the upper series of leaves as rest when in the receptacle over rthe lower series require a different support, andI prefer such as is shown in Fig. 3.- This comprises the links J at the outer end of the leaf and the posts K, pivoted to the slides G atthe inner end of the leaf, the links J of this leaf and the posts being centrally connected by the connectingrod L. The links of the various leaves are of different length, gradually increasing or decreasingk in length from one end to the other, so that when in their lowered position `on the slides they will be separated to prevent striking of the projecting ends of the extensions.

On the outer endr of the stationary section of the slides and on top thereof are the ineline blocks M.

The partsbeing thus constructed and ar` ranged, they are intended to be used as follows: The parts being in the position shown in Fig. 3-that is, thc closed position of the table-the upper series of leaves rest on top of the lower series, preferably running on the strips on the under sides of the leaves, which may be covered with felt to prevent scratching tho surface of the lower leaves. The operator drawing upon the left end of the table will draw out the extension-section at that end until one or both of the leaves are beyond the end of the stationary section and may then turn them upon the links until they are in a plane with the stationary section of the top, the outer edge of the outer leaf resting on the top of the cross-bar E and supported by the links. The outer edge of the inner leaf will be supported by its links and its inner edge will be supported by the posts K', which will be drawn into its vertical position (shown in Fig. 4) bythe connecting-rod L. The edges of the leaves will be supported by the halved extensions e. The extension-section at the opposite end may now be drawn out, as shown in Fig. 1. It will be observed that the side pieces on the extensions form complementary sides of the receptacle with the side pieces A', so that when the extensions are drawn out the leaves, if any are still in the receptacle, are hidden, and the sides of the table always have a symmetrical appearance, which is not the case if such extension-sections do not have such complementary sides.

In closing the table, the operator simply disengages the interlocking extensions, moves the table-leaves upon theirlinks down upon the slides, and then pushes in the end extensions. Vhen the inner edges of the upper leaves strike theV incline blocks, they will be lifted up and ride upon the top of the lower section of leaves.

, The metal sides may be finished in any desired manner in perfect imitation of the wood of which the table is made orto contrast there` with, and thus may be made any ornamental feature of the table.

What I claim as my invention isf l. In an extension table, the combination with a stationary section having a fixed top, of an extensible section, having an end cross bar, with its upper edge in line with the lower face of the stationary section, and serving to support the edge thereof when the extension is forced in, and movable leaves carried by the extension arranged to have the outer edge of the outer leaf supported on the said crossbar, and interlocking means for the meeting edges of the leaves and the stationary section of the table below the bottom face of the leaves, as and for the purpose described.

n'2. In an extension table, the combination with the stationary section and the movable section, the leaves adapted to be supported inV tiers beneath the top of the stationary section, the links J onthe outer end kof the inner leaf of the upper tier, lthe post kK, pivoted tothe slides, and the connecting rods L ceutrally connecting the links J and post K, sub stantially as and forthe purposedescribed.

3. In 'an extension table the combination with a stationary section having a fixed top, of an adjustable end section comprising sides and a connecting end bar having its upper edge arranged on a plane with the under side of the stationary top, a series of vertically movable leaves, the outer leaves adapted to be moved over the end bar, and an interlocking halved extension e comprising interlocking tongues arranged below the under side of the top and leaves, and secured on the under face of the stationary top and leaves, substantially as described.

4. In an extension table, the combination with a fixed and extensible section, of a plurality of leaves on the movable section normally arranged on the same plane below the top, and a plurality of links for each leaf, the links of eachleaf being of different lengths than those of the other leaves, whereby the leaves are held apart when stored, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES W. MUNZ. Witnesses:

O. F. BARTHEL, L. J. WHITTEMORE. 

